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For the AROS GUI toolkit, see Zune (GUI toolkit).
Zune is a brand of digital media players and services sold by Microsoft. It includes portable media players, Zune Software which includes the Zune Marketplace providing online music, videos, podcast, and channel sections. The primary competitors are Apple iTunes, iPod classic and iPod nano.
The devices come in two styles, both of which play music, videos, podcasts, display images, and receive (but not record) FM radio. They can share files wirelessly with other Zunes and with Xbox 360s and Windows PCs via USB.
Any Zune can also be linked with a PC allowing it to wirelessly sync with the linked Windows PC.
The Zune companion software, which runs on Windows XP and Vista, allows users to manage files on the player, rip audio CDs, manage music, buy songs, music videos, and TV shows at the online store using Microsoft Points or with a Zune Pass allowing the subscriber to download unlimited songs plus keep ten each month.
History
The first Zune model, or the Zune 30, was released in the United States on November 14, 2006. Featuring 30GB of capacity, built in Wifi, FM Radio, and a 3 inch screen, the Zune 30 came in black, brown or white.
Basic headphones, a carrying case, USB cord, and software CD were all included in the original package.
Later, the Zune 4, 8 and the 80 were announced on October 2, 2007 as the beginning of the V2 set of Zunes. The new Zune 80 features a 3.2 inch widescreen, while the Zune 4 and 8 come with an 1.8 inch widescreen.
Both came with a new touchpad-style input device, and new software (also available for the Zune 30.) Additional file support for H.264 and MPEG-4 file was also included, although the older Zune 30 requires these formats to be transcoded to WMV prior to sync. The ability to sync wirelessly (automatically if connected to a power supply,) podcast support, and an upgraded song-sharing licensing are now available on all models.
The new software also allows a Zune to communicate with other Zunes to share pictures and songs. The free firmware update added the new software features to the original Zune 30, and was released on November 13, 2007. The Zune 80 comes bundled with a USB connection cord and premium headphones.
market as the Zune.
The second-generation Zune 4 GB, 8 GB, and 80 GB are manufactured by Flextronics, the 4 and 8 GB Zunes are flash-based and smaller in size than the 80 GB version. The 30GB Zune was not redesigned.
Zune 3.0
Zune 80/120 and Zune 4/8/16 menu system
Zune 80
On September 8, 2008, Microsoft announced the Zune 3.0 update.
Included in this update is the ability to tag for purchase songs heard on FM radio, channels which can be customized to deliver suggested songs for the user, the ability to purchase songs from the Zune device via the Zune Marketplace, as well as updates to the Zune software. Games feature custom soundtracks and 8-player wireless multiplayer using the built-in Wi-Fi.
It has a 30 GB hard drive, 3” screen, and simple directional pad for menu navigation. All the second generation Zunes have a Zune Pad instead of the simple directional pad that was included on the Zune 30.
Microsoft did, however, distribute a mass upgrade for all Zune models (including the Zune 30) to the Zune's second generation software/firmware. Accessories sold separately include:
Charging devices (car adapter, AC wall-socket adapters, external battery).
I/O adapters (A/V composite, FM transmitters, headphones, USB data cable).
Docks (charging, multimedia large speaker, vertical hands-free assist).
Protection (glass screen protection, hardened/cushioning material case protection).
Carrying cases (standard issue, armband type, and belt clip).
Replacement parts and upgrades (battery, hard drive, LCD, etc.).
Among the firms that make Zune accessories are Microsoft, Altec Lansing, Belkin Corp., Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO), Dual Electronics, Griffin Technology, Harman Kardon and JBL, Integrated Mobile Electronics, Jamo International, Klipsch Audio Technologies, Logitech, Monster Cable Products Inc., Speck, Targus Group International Inc.
and VAF Research.
Firmware
Users often refer to on-device software as firmware, differing from the desktop media player as Zune software. The MPEG-4 and H.264 formats are automatically transcoded to WMV by the Zune software when syncing to a Zune 30;
MP3, AAC (.m4a), Zune Marketplace (restricted and DRM free), WMA Pro (2-channel), WMA Standard, WMA lossless for audio.
The graphical user interface (GUI) (called the “twist interface” by Microsoft) has sections for music, videos, pictures, social, radio, podcasts, marketplace, games and settings.
In the picture section, the background can be personalized using any image stored on the device (for viewing) as wallpaper. In the radio section, users can receive and play FM radio internally, with North American, Japanese, and European tuning ranges and show song information on supported FM stations.
Later, the much anticipated 2.2 firmware released from about a year after first generation Zune added support for DVR-MS (Media Center Recorded TV) files, lossless playback, added wireless syncing, and GUI interface improvements.
Zune supports the Windows Media DRM (WMDRM) digital rights management system, which is not compatible with other DRM systems including Plays for Sure and is not part of the PlaysForSure platform or program. Multimedia content is transferred through Media Transfer Protocol (MTP); however, its proprietary MTP extensions ("MTPZ") place an interoperability barrier between the Zune and previous MTP-based software.
Zune Software
Zune Software version 3.0.532.0 running in Windows Vista
The Zune software functions as management software for the device, a full media player application with a library, an interface to the Zune Marketplace, and as a media streaming server using Zune Network Sharing Service.
The Zune device was designed to only work with the Zune Software. Several versions of the software have been released.
Zune 30 Leap Year Bug
At approximately midnight Pacific Standard Time, on the morning of 2008-12-31, many first generation Zune 30 models running 3.1 firmware were reported to have automatically rebooted and frozen during the boot process. The event is being called "Y2K9", "Z2K9" or the "zunepocalypse" by some bloggers.
Microsoft has stated that the problem is with the internal clock driver and the way the device handles a leap year; with an intermediate official "fix" to drain the device battery and then recharge after 12 noon GMT on 2009-01-01.
Zune Marketplace
The Zune Marketplace is an online music, video and podcast store that integrates with the software.
Initially offering two million songs it grew to more than three million songs. With the update to version 2.5 the Zune Marketplace also offers TV shows for download and Music Videos are properly distinguished and sectioned.
Music on the marketplace is provided by the big four music groups (EMI, Warner Music Group, Sony BMG, Universal Music Group) and smaller music labels. Like other tech companies in the music business, the Zune team at Microsoft has a team of music experts responsible for the Zune marketplace editorial content and programming.
Internally, Zune DRM is referred to as “9.1”, differentiating itself from PlaysForSure DRM, which is version “9”. As of September 6th, 2007, an update from Microsoft has broken FairUse4WM once again, resulting in that anyone with the updated license cannot strip the DRM.
Note that updating the Zune software to the most recent version (3.1 as of November 2008) will not affect previously functioning DRM components.
Purchases are made through a system called Microsoft Points, in which users prepay US$5 for a block of 400 points that can be applied to downloads at 79 points per song. This works out to $0.9875 per song, plus whatever remainder is left after a user makes his or her final purchase from the Marketplace.
Cost and minimum purchase varies with foreign currency exchange rates and taxes. The Zune pass allows for 3 Zunes to share the downloaded DRM content as well as the content to be downloaded on up to 3 computers. A 14-day free Zune Pass is made available upon creating a Zune account.
The songs can be purchased as DRM-free MP3 files, when available.
With the launch of the second generation Zunes, the Marketplace presented its own interface as opposed to being a modified version of URGE, and dropped DRM for around 1 million tracks (out of roughly 3 million). Chris Stephenson, leader of Zune's marketing and manager of Global Marketing for the Entertainment Business, said, "we see a great opportunity to bring together technology and community to allow consumers to explore and discover music together." New York Times Magazine columnist Rob Walker agrees that the Zune's "community and togetherness seem like a reasonable counterpunch to iPod's supposed attraction as an individuality enabler that allows owners to wallow in their own tasteful personal soundtracks." But he also sees the Zune as having gained appeal as an individualistic statement against the omnipresent iPod: "The most salient feature of the Zune seems to be that it's not an iPod".
Microsoft also released a Zune theme for Windows XP that replaced the appearance of the operating system.
This theme includes an orange Start button and black taskbar/Start menu.
Zune has also expanded its brand efforts by creating a gen-y friendly website and campaign focused on emerging artist talent: Zune Arts
MySpace has added the feature to label music players on personal profiles to Zune-themed or a red Zune 8.
Sales
During its launch week, the original Zune, now Zune 30, was the second-most-sold portable media device with a 9% unit share in the United States; behind the market-leading iPod's 63%. For the first 6 months after launch, NPD Group figures show that the Zune 30 achieved approximately 10% market share in the Hard Drive based MP3 market and 3% in the overall MP3 player market. Users have improvised ways to downgrade the firmware on the Zune device to older version that support Asian characters.
Criticism
Digital rights management
Several entities have expressed the effect of Microsoft imposing Digital Rights Management (DRM) passively on the customer before and immediately after the introduction of the Zune.